Threat of suicide, rising demands for money: Why Kerala’s CPM-led meat processing plant is under fire

Wayanad: Investors in the ruling CPM-run Brahmagiri Development Society (BDS) in Wayanad are intensifying their protests, demanding the return of their money. They have announced a march to the BDS headquarters on October 16 and warned that further demonstrations could take place outside the CPM district committee office and at the homes of BDS directors. An indefinite hunger strike is also on the table if their demands remain unresolved.

What went wrong at BDS?

BDS was once a leading farmer-led cooperative in Wayanad. It ran several initiatives, including a meat processing plant with a daily capacity of 45 tonnes, selling processed meat under the brand ‘Malabar Meat’. The plant was later temporarily closed, and its Kerala Chicken project, started in 2018, has struggled amid an ongoing financial crisis.

The troubles came into the spotlight after revelations that, in addition to individual investors, several CPM-affiliated cooperative banks had invested crores in BDS without obtaining the necessary approvals.

BDS officials said they are working to restart the meat processing plant by the end of October in collaboration with a private partner. They added that delays in receiving promised state government funds contributed to the current financial difficulties.

The human cost: a worker’s despair

The row has taken a personal toll. Noushad, a CPM worker and BDS employee from Munderi, has expressed deep despair over losses of Rs 16 lakh and threatened to take his life at the party district office if the money is not returned.

His family invested Rs 14 lakh in multiple instalments and an additional Rs 2 lakh in 2022. Noushad claimed in a letter to the Chief Minister and CPM State Secretary MV Govindan that he had no alternative but to consider ending his life, emphasising he never expected such betrayal from his own party.

He had deposited the money trusting assurances of full party support given during a meeting at the AKG Centre with the then district leadership. Following the closure of the meat processing factory, he received Rs 1.8 lakh. However, including interest, he says Rs 22 lakh is still owed. Noushad also alleged widespread irregularities, formally reported to society leadership at the time, but left unaddressed.

Despite investing a final Rs 2 lakh into the now-closed plant, Noushad faced three days’ imprisonment over a cheque case linked to borrowed funds. He is now forced to consider selling his house and land to meet financial obligations.

Noushad’s father, Alavi, said the party leadership has a responsibility to clarify how the money was used. “If no resolution is provided, we are prepared to stage a protest with the family in front of the party office,” he added.